Can dogs have nightmares? Barney has little "dreams" when he makes little noises in his sleep. But Molly is waking us up once a night screaming and yelling and you darent touch her (in the dark) until she is fully awake as she snaps at you and tries to bite your fingers - hard. She has never bitten anyone when she is awake and once awake she is fine and cuddles up to you for a while then toddles off to end of bed and sleeps soundly for the night. She sleeps on the bed but she is so small she is not being rolled on or anything by us as she is usually at the end of the bed and she appears to be asleep when she is screaming. It is as if something has frightened her - ie like a nightmare. I am a bit worried - do you think I should see the vet or is it common?

Many thanks Gina (worrying again I hope unnecessarily).

oh dear I am worrying now I take it no one else has this problem?? I shall have to watch her over the weekend then and take her to the vet if we cant figure it out.

Gina

Hi Gina

Mine have dreams, but nothing like you are describing for your girl. Maybe you could ring your vets during opening hours tomorrow or Monday and ask to speak to one of the vet nurses and ask he or she if they think there is cause for concern? Maybe she is just dreaming but gets a fright when you touch her in the dark and reacts?

Not much help I know :(

Lesley

Hi Lesley

That is what I am hoping that we scare her more when we touch her. We are going to try to turn the bedside lamp on tonight before we reach for her and see what she is actually doing when she is yelling. Bit difficult though when you are woken from sleep by a scream so I will probably be awake waiting for her to yell! I just hope it is something like you have said because it is funny it only happens once for a night.

The vet knows us so well by now LOL but I am terrible for running to them if I think there is anything wrong.

Thanks Gina

Yes, that's a good idea Gina, see if you can see what she is doing when she is screaming. Instead of touching her when she is doing it, try calling to her gently and see if she wakes naturally at the sound of your voice. But if you are worried about it, do talk to your vet nurse or the vet - better to seek their advice too often than too little :)

Lesley

Thanks Lesley just off to bed and will do as you suggest and see what happens. Will let you know tomorrow although I do hope she sleeps through tonight.

Night and thanks again Gina x

well. what sort of night did you all have ?????

My dog howls when shes dreaming somtimes are you sure shes not howling dreaming shes in a pack
Mabe this is where the defence of biting/growling your fingers comes as shes dreaming she may be thinkng she needs to defend the rest

Could be thank you - I do hope so - we had a good night last night no screams. Barney decided to stay on the bed all night too and husband said she didnt scream when he was on the bed - so perhaps she scares herself. Fingers crossed for tonight. I am not panicking too much at the moment :p :p

Gina

dont worry just watch to see if shes howling leave her see what shes doing and how she sounds. im guessing you put your hands straight on her normaly. try to leave it and take notes of what she will do. if she is yelling call her name untill she wakes up. goodluck xxxxx

How was she last night Gina?

Lesley